Former Newcastle defender Kevin Mbabu will be playing in the Champions League this season

BERN, SWITZERLAND - JULY 14: #43 Kevin Mbabu of BSC Young Boys looks on during the Uhrencup 2018 at the Neufeld stadium on July 14, 2018 in Bern, Switzerland. (Photo by Robert Hradil/Getty Images) (Image: Getty Images Europe)

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Having drawn the first leg 1-1 in Switzerland, Young Boys came from behind to beat Dinamo Zagreb 2-1 in Croatia to qualify for the group stages for the first time in their history.

It means Mbabu will be pitting his wits against the European elite this term, merely a year after being sold by Newcastle.

Not only that, but his form last season led to reported summer interest from the likes of Manchester United, Fulham, Schalke, Stuttgart and Borussia Monchengladbach.

BERN, SWITZERLAND - JULY 14: #43 Kevin Mbabu of BSC Young Boys looks on during the Uhrencup 2018 at the Neufeld stadium on July 14, 2018 in Bern, Switzerland. (Photo by Robert Hradil/Getty Images) (Image: Getty Images Europe)

Mbabu was handed his Newcastle debut by Steve McClaren in 2015, as well as starting in a 2-2 draw with Chelsea.

But once McClaren departed and Rafa Benitez arrived as manager, the defender struggled to get near the first team.

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Fitness problems, as well as question marks over Mbabu’s focus and attitude off the field convinced the Magpies manager to send the full-back out on loan to Young Boys during the 2016/17 campaign before letting the defender depart permanently last summer.

He is now a Swiss champion and playing in the Champions League. Benitez was probably right to sell him at the time, but he could well turn out to be another star who got away.